Dining options have grown over the years.  But, there just seems something about Filipino food that makes me crave for it once in awhile.  It's kind of like when you wander far to the most amazing places but then, you know your heart still wants to go back home.  So this time, I ended up trying Mangan which specializes in Kapampanan food.

I've always believed that Kapampangan food is one of the tastiest of our local cuisine.

Having had several food trips in Pampanga, I would say this is up a notch over the restaurants there when it comes to interiors.  This makes it more appealing to expats and balikbayans.

Food

Aliw-Aliwang Sisig

Sisig ni Mely (260 php)

When it comes to Kapampangan dishes, how can we forget sisig?  The Sisig ni Mely came out as a surprise for us because of its unusual style of serving - wrapped in banana leaves.

Sisig ni Mely (260 php)

It gives you the pleasure of unwrapping your irresistible order of Sisig ni Mely.

Manyamang Gule

Laing with Dulong (190 php)

To lessen your guilt, why not balance with an order of Laing with Dulong?

Crispy Pata

Original Crispy Pata (100 php/100g)

That is.. before we proceed to the highlights of our meal.  Some prefer the Original Crispy Pata.

Pritson Pata (150 php/100g)

Perhaps because of my Chinese root and being used to eating peking duck that I had fun with the Pritson Pata.

Patang Demonyo (125 php/100g)

But, hey I dare all the spicy food lovers out there to try the Patang Demonyo.

Mapaling Sebo

Bulalong Baka with Mais (425 php)

One bang for the buck to order for sharing is their Bulalong Baka with Mais.

Mga Karne

Kare-Kare Buntot ng Baka (395 php)

One of the best to order is the Kare-Kare Buntot ng Baka. 

Merienda

Pansit Pusit (190 php)

For staple, you can skip the rice dishes for the Pansit Pusit or...

Pancit Puti (140 php)

the very interesting Pancit Puti.  How can be amazingly savory and delicious without any sauce???

Ispesyal Ning Bale

Bibingka Plain (120 php)

Save room for Bibingka

Puto Bumbong (110 php)

or Puto Bumbong.

Puto Bumbong (110 php)

and Puto Bumbong.

Panghimagas

Tibok-tibok with Latik (120 php)

But, when it comes to Kapampangan dessert, you shouldn't miss the Tibok-tibok with Latik.

Drinks

When my mom's best friend came home from the US, I recommended that they dine at Apag Marangle Kapamangan Restaurant.  We've been meaning to dine at their Pampanga branch but could no longer find a consolidated time given our work.  Mom loved it so much and she wanted to try more of their dishes so she decided that we celebrate her birthday there. 

So that Sunday, we made reservations.  

Only to find the place barely empty on a Sunday night.  We reserved the entire mezzanine area which has the best ambiance.  It has kawayan tables and benches with a fish pond.

Look at how huge their menu is.  It takes the form of a giant leaf.  There are so many options.  Although we are a group of almost 30, we couldn't try them all and we had a lot of left overs.

Although Apag Marangle is found at the heart of Makati specifically at Park Square, their interiors and dish presentation will make you feel like your having a native-style salu-salo in Pampanga or some provincial area.

Pulutan

♥ Chili Garlic Camaru (185 php)

My cousins wanted to try the exotic dish of Chili Garlic Camaru.  It was dominantly garlicky so you really can't tell that you're eating insects.  This was passed in between tables several times before we finished this though.  Some are not daring enough to try.
 
Seafoods

Ningnang Pusit

Among all our orders, the Ningnang Pusit did not make a lasting impression because it is simply grilled squid.


Nasi (Rice)

♥ Nasi Marangle (275 php)

Although we ordered the Nasi Marangle as staple, as you can see it already has enough viands to consider as a meal in itself.  I'm not sure if its just our Ilocano roots but we loved this very much since it's similar to the Ilocano dish pinakbet with the addition of rice.

Tabang Talangka (175 php)

The boys opted for the Tabang Talangka.  I think they had to burn this off at the gym later on.

Manuk (Chicken)

♥ Pepalukluk Manuk (415 php)

According to my aunt, there's a similar Ilocano dish that looks like this which my Angkong used to cook.  Since we never got to try it, the Pepalukluk Manuk is the closest that we will get to try.  It is very light tasting on its on so have it with the bagoong or vinegar sauce.

♥ Kalderetang Bibe (415 php)

The Kalderetang Bibe is so good!  This is one of the dishes that was first to be emptied.


Sabo (Soup)

Suam Mais (220 php)

The Suam Mais reminds me of sweet corn in soup form.  At first, it was comforting but I couldn't the cup.

♥ Bulalo (545 php)

The Bulalo is a classic and it wins over the other soups we ordered.

♥ Bulalo (545 php)

 The price is just right given the amount of meat.

♥ Sigang King Kamias Bangus (320 php)

We also loved the Sigang King Kamias Bangus.

Pagmayumu (Desserts)

♥ Meyumuang Kamuti (135 php)

The oldies ordered the Meyumuang Kamuti.  It was surprisingly good that even though we were all full from our overwhelming amount of orders, we found this pleasurable to eat.

Leche Flan (Big) (175 php)

The Leche Flan is delicious but nothing extraordinary.

♥ Ebun Malat Ice Cream (65 php)

Our top pick for dessert is the Ebun Malat Ice Cream.  I did not really dive into the salted egg craze despite receiving so many salted egg chips as gifts but one spoonful of this boy this is Ebun Malat Ice Cream and I'm a fan.

Inuman

Buko-Pandan Juice (70 php) and Lemon Grass Tea (70 php)

For drinks, any of the choices are good.

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
I highly recommend Apag Marangle especially for Balikbayans and foreigners who want to experience native Kapamapangan cuisine including exotic ones.  The pricing is reasonable and the ambiance and service is nice.  The serving size is good for sharing so the bigger the company, the better.  For us, this seems to be an under-rated establishment.

If there's one place which was highly recommended everywhere (in publications, online blogs, online reviews sites, tv shows) to have Authentic Kapampangan Cuisine,  it would be Everybody's Cafe.

Thus, we squeezed it into out itinerary.

We arrived there around 9 pm and we were practically the only customers of this popular place.

It looks like a carinderia (even with flies).  Just with a better table set up since there is a table cloth.

The dishes are displayed like in a carinderia or turo-turo style canteen.

They have no menu and the set-up was like this so we had the impression that the food would be affordable.  We ordered the ♥ Morcon (360 php) for take out.  I think that is the their most impressive dish.

Unlike me, it is the family's first time to try the Kapampangan exotic dishes.

Food

Camaro (Mole Cricket) (220 php)

I was really excited to let the family try the Camaro.  I've had a pleasant experience with the camaro by Ikabud, Bistro Remedios and during the Marquee Mall's Big Bite!  Unfortunate, this one is not as good.  =( I felt bad that the family had to try this not-so-crispy, bland and greasy version at such an expensive price too!

Kalderetang Kambing (300 php)

The Kalderetang Kambing is delicious with a little spiciness to it.  It was tender enough but the serving was small and had lots of bones so  felt that the pricing is not justified.

Betute

I forgot how much the Betute was but I'm pretty sure it was also every expensive as it was priced per piece.  Compared to the Camaro, this is much better.  But, I still didn't like it's oiliness.  I suggest you try Cely's Carinderia and Abe's instead.

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Out of all the place we dined at in Pampanga, this is the most expensive and disappointing one.  Trying Everybody's Cafe was a huge mistake!